Brass Creamer & Sugarbowl

I'm trying to think if I know anybody else who ever uses a creamer and sugar bowl...can't think of anyone. But I bet if they had a pretty brass set like this, they would. What is it that makes art nouveau design so appealing? This set practically screamed from the shelf that it was far too elegant and special to be at the thrift store.

S & P

These funny salt and pepper shakers remind me of the two pigs Sara raised last summer, Freckles and Destroyer. They are unusually big for salt and pepper shakers- each about the size of a softball. Another great Goodwill find!

Tea for Five

When I was a growing up, cafes always served your hot water in little ceramic teapots when you ordered tea. Way back in my college days I purchased a maroon and a dark green teapot at a garage sale. Over the years I stumbled upon a few more. I love the vintage colors of these darling teapots and they fit perfectly on the plate shelf that runs around the dining room.

Valentine

When I stopped in Savers this morning (looking for an inexpensive solution for a hanging pot rack - see future post) I found this heart-shaped hotwater bottle. Since it happens to be Valentines Day today, I had to get it for my sweetie--who is much hotter than any hot water bottle!

The Impetus for this Blog

I have collected some pretty odd things over the years, and this little ceramic gnome vessel ranks right up there. I was in town and had a bit of time between meetings this afternoon, so I stopped in at Savers to see if I could find some interesting decor for my chicken coop/potting shed. No luck there, but I stumbled upon this quirky gnome dish. My first reaction was "Ugly!" but then I felt its weird attraction (maybe it's magical.) Today was Monday and yellow ticketed items were 99 cents; it had a yellow price tag, so it was meant to be.

On the bottom it says copyright 1957, "FINE ENT INC" and "Calif USA." I did a google search and found the same piece listed for sale on Ebay in 2004, but the seller was as baffled by it as I am. My best guess is that it is a little nightstand dish to set your change or keys in --I am currently using it on my desk for paperclips.

My family gives me a lot of grief about my penchant for purchasing strange things at garage sales and thrift stores. I figure somebody out there surely must appreciate these treasures as much as I do--thus, this blog.